Improvement in cradles



L. HEYWOD.

Cradles. A

No. 135,117. i Patenred1an.21,1873.

UNITED STATEs` PATENT QFEIcE.

LEVI HEYWOOD, OF GARDNER, .MASSACHUSETTS ASSIGNOR TO HEYWOOD BROTHERS AND COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN CRADLES.

Speoication forming part of Letters Patent No. 135,117, dated January 21, 1873.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEVI HEYWooD, of

' Gardner, in the county of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and Improved Cradle; and that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing and to the letters of reference marked thereon making a part of this specication.

This invention is in the nature of an iinprovement in childrens cradles; and the invention consists in a cradle constructed wholly of bent wood, in the manner hereinafter fully described.

As is well known, it is desirable that childrens cradles should be strongly but lightly built, and at the same time be well ventilated and offer as few joints and crevices as possible as places of concealment for vermin 5 and to produce such a cradle at as small a cost as possible is the chief object of this invention.

In the accompanying sheet of drawing, Figure l represents a plan or top View of mycradle; Fig. 2, a side elevation of same; and Fig. 3, a cross-section of same taken in theline xx.

Similar letters of reference indicate like parts iu the several figures.

A represents a cradle, which is elliptical in shape, and the sides and ends are constructed of a series of bent strips or frames of wood, a, which may be bent by steaming` or in any desirable manner, the curved portions of the strips or frames forming the ends of the cradle and the straighte'r parts forming the sides. These strips or frames are placed one below the other, with a suitable space between each, so that the cradle is Ynot only made light, but the intervening spaces allow a free circulation of air through every part of it. The ends of each strip or frame, when in place, are received in a rib, B, which has been properly mortised for their reception, and within which they are held or secured by glue or other cement. The upper surface of the topmost strip may be provided with a lip or flare, b, or any other suitable device, which not only adds to the general stiffness of the cradle, but adds to its ornamental appearance. After the first strip is suitably secured in place each succeeding strip or frame is somewhat shorter and of less curve than the last, so that when all the strips or frames are in place the body of the cradle will assume a basket or shell like appearance, being somewhat larger at the top than at the bottom. In addition to the rib B the strips or frames are further strengthened and held in place by the bent ribs C C', to which the frames are suitably riveted. The bottom of the cradle is formed by a series of slats,`c, which are also riveted to the ribs B and O; The rockers D D may be also formed of wood, bent to the proper curves, and they are secured to the cradle by means of the spans E, which are screwed to the under side ofthe ribs C. The top frame may have secured to it supports or bales F F to support a mosquito-netting. These supports may be pivoted in such a way as to allow them to be raised and lowered at pleasure. Y

From the foregoing description it .will be se n that my cradle is light, strong, and yet cheaply made, offers free circulation of air to every part of it, and yet leaving very few or no crevices to harbor vermin.

I do not wish to confine myself to any particular form of cradle, nor to any particular manner of putting it together; but

VVha-t I do claim as new, and desire to se, cure by Letters Patent, is-

A childs cradle, having the body thereof constructed wholly of bent strips or frames of wood, in the manner and for thepurposes described.

LEVI 'HEYWOOD Witnesses: FRANCIS RICHARDSON, CiIAs. F. RICHARDSON, 

